WASHINGTON, April 9 (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Al Franken, who has criticized Comcast's plan to buy Time Warner Cable but stopped short of asking for it to be blocked, said on Wednesday that he opposed the deal.

"I'm against this deal," he told the Senate Judiciary Committee in a hearing to discuss the planned merger. "I believe this deal will result in fewer choices, higher prices and even worse service for my constituents."

The Justice Department and the Federal Communications Commission must approve the merger for it to go forward. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Bill Trott)